“The way things are going, it will be for Parliament to decide, not the government.”

London School of Economics professor Dr Jo Murkens

Professor of Applied Economics John Van Reenen, also of LSE, told Daily Star Online there could be an early election if the Supreme Court judgement is upheld.

He said: “If judgement is upheld, it will mean some delay before Article 50 is invoked but not halt the process; or a possible early election so the Conservatives can get a bigger majority given the disarray of the opposition.”

Social sciences and humanities professor Dr Peter Catterall, from University of Westminster, told Daily Star Online the government has been able to “dodge parliamentary scrutiny of their intentions” until now.

He said: “If we really are to ‘take back control’ then it has to be from over-mighty governments as well.

“That means that how governments govern on key questions – and there is no more key question than Brexit which affects so many aspects of our economy – needs to be according to clear rules.”

“Democracy is not just about voting but also about being accountable for decisions, so it is good that the court has ruled against the government’s attempts to avoid that accountability in this case.”

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BETRAYAL: Ukip leader Nigel Farage said the ruling was a 'betrayal'

Countries who want independence after Brexit

Wednesday, 29th June 2016

Brexit has caused disruption all over the world and we are now seeing a sudden surge in countries wanting to 'go it alone'

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great briitain leaves european union metaphor

He slammed the government for not planning the Brexit vote with “clarity”, adding that its Supreme Court appeal will just “waste further public money”.

Leave campaigners were left fuming after yesterday’s decision, accusing fund manager Gina Miller, who brought the case, of ignoring the will of 17.4 million Leave voters.

But Mrs May hit back last night, saying: “We have no intention of letting this derail our timetable in getting on with triggering Article 50 in the time frame we have set out.

“What matters is doing what is in Britain’s national interest. That doesn’t mean setting out all your cards on the table as you go into negotiation with 27 other countries.”

The PM dismissed talk of an early general election, with a spokesperson saying: "There should not be an election before 2020. This remains the PM’s view.”